Smoky recycling plant fire no threat to buildings

PHOENIX — Officials say a fire at a recycling plant near the Phoenix airport is spreading smoke that’s visible for miles but isn’t threatening any structures.

Capt. Mark Vanacore, a Phoenix fire spokesman, said Sunday that 200 firefighters are battling the blaze that’s eating through recycled paper over an area estimated to be the size of a couple of football fields.

He says no buildings are damaged or threatened in the commercial area. No injuries have been reported, and it’s not known if anyone was at Arizona Pacific Pulp and Paper when the blaze broke out. A message left for the company after hours wasn’t immediately returned.

It’s unclear how the fire started at the business just south of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. It was reported at 3 p.m., and crews were making progress as of Sunday evening.